MOSCOW, March 9, 2010. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data concerning the current assessment by Russians of perestroika, their results and the consequences of the reforms started in April of 1985.
Today Russians don't have one opinion about the necessity of perestroika. Before 2004 the majority of our fellow-citizens believed that it would be better to let the matter rest (50-56%), especially in 2003 (56%). Today there is no one opinion about it. 41% of respondents think that it would be better to let the matter rest, 38% of respondents don-t agree with this point of view. The number of those who don't understand the situation increased (20% vs. 7-10% in previous years). The supporters of changes are the followers of Just Russia (48%) and Russians of 25044 years (45-46%). They are opposed by followers of Communist Party (73%) and elder people (57%).
The last ten years brought changes in personal assessment of reforms' consequences. In spite of the fact that the majority still position themselves as defeated from changes, the number of these people decreased (from 73-75% in 2004 to 42%). The opinion about the necessity of reforms depends on age: if young people are disoriented in this question or suppose that they gained from them (47 and 31%) then elder people think that they are the losers. The majority of those who lose from reforms are poor educated or low-income Russians (by 60%). Well-educated and well-to-do people suppose they gained.
The consequences of reforms of 1985 are still seemed negative. First of all, our fellow-citizens point out the uncertainty in near future (46%, in 1999 - 59%). Next popular result is chaos and mess in ruling the country but this opinion weakened since 1999 (from 66 to 35%). The third place belongs to crisis of national relations (30%, in 2001 - 42%). 23% of respondents notice deepening of economic crisis, 21% - beginning of economic renovation, 21% - weakening of defense capability. Positive consequences are met seldom: strengthening of Russian place in international relations (18%), expansion of rights and freedoms (17%), rise of political and economic activity of citizens (14%), national rebirth of peoples in Russia (11%).
The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on January 16-17, 2010. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4 %.
Many people say that it would be better if everything was as before perestroika. Do you agree? (close-ended, one answer) | ||||||||
1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 2000 | 2001 | 2003 | 2004 | 2010 | |
Absolutely agree | 34 | 33 | 29 | 25 | 29 | 35 | 26 | 15 |
Probably agree | 18 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 26 |
Probably disagree | 23 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 23 | 23 | 26 | 27 |
Absolutely disagree | 18 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
Hard to tell | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 20 |
Many people say that it would be better if everything was as before perestroika. Do you agree? (close-ended, one answer) | ||||||
Total respondents | Age | |||||
18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and above | ||
Absolutely agree | 15 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 18 | 27 |
Probably agree | 26 | 14 | 22 | 25 | 32 | 30 |
Probably disagree | 27 | 25 | 31 | 33 | 28 | 20 |
Absolutely disagree | 11 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 7 |
Hard to tell | 20 | 39 | 24 | 18 | 13 | 16 |
Taking into account the consequences of democratic and market reforms did you or your family gain or lose from the changes happening in the country during the last years? (close-ended, one answer) | |||
1999 | 2000 | 2010 | |
Gained | 11 | 15 | 24 |
Lost | 75 | 73 | 42 |
Hard to tell | 15 | 13 | 34 |
Taking into account the consequences of democratic and market reforms do you or your family gain or lose from the changes happening in the country during the last years? (close-ended, one answer) | ||||
Total respondents | Self-assessment of economic conditions | |||
Very good, good | Medium | Bad, very bad | ||
Gained | 24 | 38 | 26 | 12 |
Lost | 42 | 30 | 38 | 60 |
Hard to tell | 34 | 32 | 36 | 29 |
Point out the main results of the reforms started in April of 1985. (close-ended question, up to 3 answers) | ||||||
1996 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2010 | |
Strengthening of Russian place in international relations | 6 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 18 |
Rise of chaos and mess in ruling the country | 52 | 52 | 66 | 52 | 46 | 35 |
National rebirth of peoples in Russia | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 11 |
Increase of uncertainty in tomorrow | 48 | 49 | 59 | 50 | 54 | 46 |
Beginning of economic renovation | 11 | 13 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 21 |
Crisis of national relations | 31 | 35 | 38 | 34 | 42 | 30 |
Expansion of rights and freedoms | 10 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 17 |
Deepening of economic crisis | 27 | 36 | 53 | 38 | 38 | 23 |
Rise of political and economic activity of people | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 17 | 14 |
Weakening of defense capacity | 24 | 29 | 46 | 32 | 39 | 21 |
Other | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Hard to tell | 7 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 5 | 13 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!